Can't Activate a Used Sanyo SCP-4500

Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
(even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).

So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
me - said the phone was too old.

This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
activated.

I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
frustration.

Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
$100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.

Thanks for any help.

---

› See More: Can't Activate a Used Sanyo SCP-4500

I think one reason that you can not activate a 4500 is that it
likely not wlnp compatible.


aggie_thor wrote:

> Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
>
> So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> me - said the phone was too old.
>
> This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> activated.
>
> I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> frustration.
>
> Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
>
> Thanks for any help.

I'm having a little trouble understanding if you can't 'activate' the
phone or 'program.' It sounds like the activation went okay it's just
the programming you are having problems with. The only reason you
wouldn't be able to program the phone is if you don't have the updated
software (the 4500 is WLNP compliant with a software upgrade which most
stores should be able to do.) Even if you don't have the most up to
date software, there are ways around the programming (even if the phone
isn't WLNP compliant.) If you can give me the exact error message you
receive and at what point you receive it, I can help you out more.


[email protected] (aggie_thor) wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
>
> So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> me - said the phone was too old.
>
> This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> activated.
>
> I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> frustration.
>
> Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
>
> Thanks for any help.

[posted via phonescoop.com]

So, by wlnp - do you mean wireless local number portability? I guess
has the current deadlines by the FCC changed the way Sprint PCS
activates their phones? I guess I could understand that, but that
should be something fixed by firmwear I would think. At least at the
Plano,Tx Sprint store, they were not able to upgrade the software on
the phone.


Jerome Zelinske <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I think one reason that you can not activate a 4500 is that it
> likely not wlnp compatible.
>
>
> aggie_thor wrote:
>
> > Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> > they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> > replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> > (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
> >
> > So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> > qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> > activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> > gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> > to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> > call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> > the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> > me - said the phone was too old.
> >
> > This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> > years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> > least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> > activated.
> >
> > I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> > myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> > need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> > firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> > frustration.
> >
> > Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> > sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> > Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> > PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> > know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> > Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> > basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> > $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> > help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
> >
> > Thanks for any help.

Assuming they wrote a new firmware with WLNP support. Most likely Sanyo
didn't since its an old phone, and once your friends 4500's are deactivated,
they will never get reactivated again.


"aggie_thor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So, by wlnp - do you mean wireless local number portability? I guess
> has the current deadlines by the FCC changed the way Sprint PCS
> activates their phones? I guess I could understand that, but that
> should be something fixed by firmwear I would think. At least at the
> Plano,Tx Sprint store, they were not able to upgrade the software on
> the phone.
>
>
> Jerome Zelinske <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I think one reason that you can not activate a 4500 is that it
> > likely not wlnp compatible.
> >
> >
> > aggie_thor wrote:
> >
> > > Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> > > they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> > > replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> > > (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
> > >
> > > So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> > > qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> > > activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> > > gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> > > to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> > > call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> > > the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> > > me - said the phone was too old.
> > >
> > > This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> > > years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> > > least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> > > activated.
> > >
> > > I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> > > myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> > > need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> > > firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> > > frustration.
> > >
> > > Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> > > sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> > > Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> > > PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> > > know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> > > Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> > > basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> > > $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> > > help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help.

go to the store and get it reflashed. the IMSI valeu is required for
the mismatched MSID/MDN values. There is actually a software that
allows you to do this. If the store told you the phone was too old then
tell them they need to provide you a phone that can be programmed.
(they have a discretionary discount known as WLNP non-compliant) where
they will discount a new phone price to get you activated. IF neither
one of those options impresses themanagement, then go to T-Mobile and
get a better rate plan and the new cool X105 for free at select
authorized retailers. (call first)

"John" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> Assuming they wrote a new firmware with WLNP support. Most likely Sanyo
> didn't since its an old phone, and once your friends 4500's are deactivated,
> they will never get reactivated again.
>
>
> "aggie_thor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > So, by wlnp - do you mean wireless local number portability? I guess
> > has the current deadlines by the FCC changed the way Sprint PCS
> > activates their phones? I guess I could understand that, but that
> > should be something fixed by firmwear I would think. At least at the
> > Plano,Tx Sprint store, they were not able to upgrade the software on
> > the phone.
> >
> >
> > Jerome Zelinske <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > > I think one reason that you can not activate a 4500 is that it
> > > likely not wlnp compatible.
> > >
> > >
> > > aggie_thor wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> > > > they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> > > > replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> > > > (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
> > > >
> > > > So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> > > > qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> > > > activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> > > > gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> > > > to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> > > > call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> > > > the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> > > > me - said the phone was too old.
> > > >
> > > > This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> > > > years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> > > > least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> > > > activated.
> > > >
> > > > I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> > > > myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> > > > need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> > > > firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> > > > frustration.
> > > >
> > > > Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> > > > sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> > > > Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> > > > PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> > > > know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> > > > Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> > > > basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> > > > $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> > > > help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for any help.
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 14:44:57 -0000, direcció[email protected] (ben dejo)
wrote:

>
>go to the store and get it reflashed.


Ben: Are you a present or former SprintPCS employee,
that was a great post. Lucid, helpful and to the point.

yes I am a former employee and have stated this in earlier posts. Thank
you for asking.

Renaldo <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 14:44:57 -0000, direcció[email protected] (ben dejo)
> wrote:
>
> >
> >go to the store and get it reflashed.
>
>
> Ben: Are you a present or former SprintPCS employee,
> that was a great post. Lucid, helpful and to the point.

[posted via phonescoop.com]

OK - problem solved. Finally I went in to a different Sprint Store in
the Dallas area which had much more competent folks than my previous
experience. It took them a few minutes, but they were able to program
the phone. Thanks to all for your help.

Do keep in mind now that with the enabling of wlnp with our national
carriers here recently that it may be very difficult or impossible to
program/activate a older phone. Just my two cents after dealing with
this over the past week. Thanks again.

[email protected] (3G Geek) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I'm having a little trouble understanding if you can't 'activate' the
> phone or 'program.' It sounds like the activation went okay it's just
> the programming you are having problems with. The only reason you
> wouldn't be able to program the phone is if you don't have the updated
> software (the 4500 is WLNP compliant with a software upgrade which most
> stores should be able to do.) Even if you don't have the most up to
> date software, there are ways around the programming (even if the phone
> isn't WLNP compliant.) If you can give me the exact error message you
> receive and at what point you receive it, I can help you out more.
>
>
> [email protected] (aggie_thor) wrote in article
> <[email protected]>:
> > Hi - I was wondering if anybody has had problems activating phones
> > they purchased used. I have done this before when buying a
> > replacement for my Samsung SCH-3500 and had no problems activating it
> > (even though this model is a probably 3 years old or so).
> >
> > So I bought a used Sanyo SCP-4500 for my wife to replace a really old
> > qualcomm phone she had (don't know the model). I can't get service
> > activated. I've talked with Sprint Customer support twice and even
> > gone to the Sprint Store. I get the same error every time when trying
> > to program the phone (it basically tells me an error occurred and to
> > call Sprint Customer service - what a joke!). I think I need to get
> > the firmware updated, but the Sprint Store was not able to do that for
> > me - said the phone was too old.
> >
> > This doesn't make sense to me. The SCP-4500 is probably about three
> > years old, but I know several people using Sprint phones that are at
> > least that old. This phone should work. I just can't get it
> > activated.
> >
> > I think if I knew the Home SID value, I could get the phone programmed
> > myself, but the Sprint folks say this value is obsolete and that I
> > need to program the IMSI value into the phone, which I'm guessing the
> > firmware on phone doesn't support. Anyways, this is total
> > frustration.
> >
> > Here's another question. If you go to Sprint Store or to a
> > sprintpcs.com, they only really have a handful of phones to sell.
> > Currently at sprintpcs.com they have 13 phones, half of which are part
> > PDA. I don't want a PDA! I just want a simple, reliable phone. I
> > know there are a lot more than 13 wireless phones that operate on
> > Sprint's network - why don't they make more of them available. So you
> > basically can't buy a phone from them for a street price of less than
> > $100 (1 phone) - oh unless you activate new service - that doesn't
> > help me as I've been a loyal customer for over 3 years now.
> >
> > Thanks for any help.
>
> [posted via phonescoop.com]